Speedometer.



W. M. HEATON.

SPEEDOMETER. APPLIUATION FILED NOV.5,1912.

1 1 20,482, Patented Dec. 8, 1914.

THE NORRIS PETERS co FHDTO-LITHO.. WASHING ram. D. c

wILBUR M. rinnrroiv, or PUEBLO, COLORADO.

Specification of Letters liitent.

- Patented Dec. 8,1914.

Application filed Novembers 191;]. Serial No. '72aee7.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, WILBUR HnA'roN,

a citizen of the United Statesfresidingat Pueblo, in the county ofPueblo and Stateof Colorado, have invented new and useful Improvementsin Speedometers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to speedometers, the object in view being toprovide an exceedingly simple and yet reliable speedometer adapted foruse with automobiles, and other mechanically propelled vehicles toindicate the speed at which the machine is traveling.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in theconstruction, combination and arrangement of parts, as will behereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, and pointed out in the claim hereunto appended.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section through aspeedometer embodying the present invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical crosssection through the same on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Refering to the drawings, 1 designates a liquid reservoir provided inthe top thereof with an air vent 2 to admit of the circulation andmovement of the liquid contained in the reservoir.

In the bottom of the reservoir 1 is arranged a hollow cylindrical casing3, in which is rotatably mounted a screw or spiral propeller 4, the samebeing mounted fast on a rotary shaft 5 journaled in hearings in theopposite ends of the reservoir, as shown. 6 designates a flexible shaftfor imparting rotary motion to the shaft 5, the said flexible shaft 6being adapted to be connected to the wheel or other revolving part ofthe machine, so as to transmit the motion of such part of the machine tothe screw 4.

The cylinder 3 is open at both ends to receive and discharge the liquidcontained in the reservoir 1, 7 designating the entrance at one end ofthe cylinder, and 8 the exit at the opposite end thereof.

At one end of the reservoir is an upright tube 9 which leads off fromthe casing 3, 1n

which the spiral screw operates.

Under the arrangement shown in Fig. 1, the tube 9 is extendedhorizontally, as shown at 10, and then vertically, as 'shownat 11, theupright portion 11 of the tube being transparent, so that the liquidcontained in the reservoir l may be observed as'it moves upward ,withinthe tube. This tube is graduated, as shown at 12, to'indicate miles perhour or revolutions per minute, as may bedesired, said graduations beingproperly spaced and numbered in accordance with the action of the screwon the liquid to obtain the necessary accuracy in the registry betweenthe colored liquid and said graduations. If desired, a float 13 may beplaced in the tube 11, so that it may move up and down in accordancewith the height of the liquid in said tube. In this case, the float 13may be made to register with the graduations to indicate the speed.

It will be observed that while the screw or propeller is constantlyimmersed in the liquid contained in the reservoir, such liquid is causedto pass lengthwise through the cylindrical casing of the screw, inaccordance with the direction in which such screw is rotated. Thisinsures the forcing of the liquid into the tubeor passage 9, causing theelevation thereof, which will produce the necessary indication in thetube 11 or upon the graduated are or dial 18, as above-set forth.

19 designates-a vent in the upper end of the tube 11 to prevent theformation of an air cushion in said tube as the liquid rises therein.

It will be noted that the casing 3 is of less length than the screw 4and the reservoir 1 and that the screw 4 is of the full length of thereservoir 1. Therefore, the

liquid propelling screw extends beyond the receiving end of the casing-3 so as to draw the liquid into the casing-'3. Furthermore, the tubularelbow which connects with the opposite end of the casing 3 has ahorizontal run 10 and the outer end thereof is then turned upward in theform of a short secondary elbow to receive the lower end of thegraduated transparent tube in which the float 13 moves. The result isthat the horizontal run 10 is in the nature of a trap or dwell sectionof the elbow which has a decided tendency to steady the liquid in thetubular elbow and the graduated tube and avoid excessive amplitude offluctuation of the liquid and the consequent rapid bobbing up and downof the float 13 which woul interfere with the accurate reading of thevoir, a liquid propelling screw rotatable a the opposite endof saidcasing and passing within the body of the reservoir, a cylindrimovableup and down in said tube by the 1 cal casing for said screw of a lengthless buoyant action of the liquid and adapted to than the screwcontained wholly within the register with the graduations of said tube.reservoir and open at one end to receive the 1 In'testimony whereof Iaflix my signature liquid, a tubular elbow communicating with inpresence of two witnesses.

WILBUR M. HEATON; through the wall of said casing, a vertical Witnesses:transparent graduated tube communicating O. KQFLETCHER,

' I with the outer end of said elbow, and afloat LEE J. D1 LMAN.

' da siee! um 1.1mm, be we mam am; each, abusin the comm-nomof 1mm. awuhlngton n cfi

